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Trivia: Musical Terms

Subject : trivia
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. Sliding between two notes.






2. To shift to another key.






3. When several strings are tuned to harmonically related pitches - all strings vibrate when only one of the strings is struck.






4. A 17th century dance written in Quadruple time - always beginning on the third beat of the measure.






5. A musical theme given to a particular idea or main character of an opera.






6. A solo concert with or without accompaniment.






7. A string of chords played in succession.






8. The retuning of a stringed instrument in order to play notes below the ordinary range of the instrument or to produce an usual tone color.






9. A style of male singing where by partial use of the vocal chords - the voice is able to reach the pitch of a female.






10. Time signature with three beats to the measure.






11. A lighthearted piece - written in several movements - usually as background music for a social function.






12. String instruments that are picked instead of bowed.






13. Music that is written and performed without regard to any specific key.






14. The structure of a piece of music.






15. A portion of the range of the instrument or voice.






16. A book of text containing the words of an opera.






17. A line in a contrapuntal work performed by an individual voice or instrument.






18. A set of six musicians who perform a composition written for six parts.






19. A symbol indicating the note is to be raised by one semitone.






20. A short and simple melody performed by a soloist that is part of a larger piece.






21. A large group of instrumentalists playing together.






22. The playing or singing the upper half of the vocal range. Also the highest voice in choral singing.






23. The intonation - pitch - and modulation of a composition expressing the meaning - feeling - or attitude of the music.






24. Dull - monotonous tone such as a humming or buzzing sound. Also a bass note held under a melody.






25. A glissando or portamento. Also refers to the moving part of a trombone.






26. A sequence of songs - perhaps on a single theme - or with texts by one poet - or having continuos narrative.






27. To shift to another key.






28. The period of music history which dates from the mid 1700's to mid 1800's. The music was spare and emotionally reserved - especially when compared to Romantic and Boroque music.






29. A book of text containing the words of an opera.






30. Refers to any great composer - conductor - or teacher of music.






31. A tempo having slow movement; restful at ease.






32. Tone color - quality of sound that distinguishes one verse or instrument to another. It is determined by the harmonies of sound.






33. The interval between two notes. Two whole tones and one semitone make up the distance between the two notes.






34. Pertains to tone or tones.






35. A set of four musicians who perform a composition written for four parts.






36. An extended solo - often accompanying the vocal part of an aria.






37. Combining a number of individual but harmonizing melodies. Also known as counterpoint.






38. A drama where the words are sung instead of spoken.






39. Tone color - quality of sound that distinguishes one verse or instrument to another. It is determined by the harmonies of sound.






40. A mild glissando between two notes for an expressive effect.






41. A symbol indicating that the note is to be diminished by one semitone.






42. A dirge - hymn - or musical service for the repose of the dead.






43. Music written for chorus and orchestra. Most often religious in nature.






44. A line in a contrapuntal work performed by an individual voice or instrument.






45. A dance written in triple time - where the accent falls on the first beat of each measure.






46. The first tone of a scale also known as a keynote.






47. A reprise.






48. The period of music history which dates from the mid 1800's and lasted about sixty years. There was a strong regard for order and balance.






49. A short piano piece - often improvisational and intimate in character.






50. A scale consisting of only whole-tone notes. Such a scale consists of only 6 notes.